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470Nitro
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Reged: 17/09/03
Posts: 467
Loc: Madrid - Spain

.375 on a Sheep hunt??
#10962 - 05/03/04 08:42 PM

Next year I'll try (probably) my thirth Alaskan hunt. As usual, I'll try a Dall sheep but I'll buy a grizzly or/and black bear tags. As an alien I only can carry one rifle so... Would you try a Dall sheep with a .375H&H???? Is better to carry a 300Win for everything???

What would you do???

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talkin' 'bout guns and dreamin 'bout women
never had a plan just a livin' for the minute

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AspenHill
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Reged: 08/01/03
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: 470Nitro]
#10969 - 06/03/04 12:19 AM

I have both calibers and would have recommended the .300 but with you wanting to go after grizzly as well take the .375 H&H.

--------------------
~Ann

Everyday spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

Aspen Hill Adventures

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mikeh416Rigby
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Reged: 24/02/03
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Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....

Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: 470Nitro]
#10989 - 06/03/04 03:27 AM

I'd take the .300 Winchester Mag, and load it up with 200 or 220 grain Partitions or Xs. I Shot my Dall ram at over 500 yards-there was no way to get closer. A 375 wouldn't have worked in that situation. The .330 Winnie with good bullets is a match for any Grizzly. Perhaps a better compromise would be a .338 or .340 Weatherby.

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luv2safari
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#10993 - 06/03/04 03:41 AM

The 338 or 340 would be my first and only choices for one rifle on an Alaskan hunt. The big bears take a bit of thump to stop at times, and the 338s can reach way out if necessary on the sheep hunt.
If you have the 300Win, but no 338...don't go to the trouble and expense of getting one. The 300 will do fine. I would have two different loads and scopes for each in GOOD QDs....165s or 180s for the sheep, and 220s for bear...

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Hunt with Class and Classics

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WyoJoe
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Reged: 18/02/04
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: 470Nitro]
#10999 - 06/03/04 04:40 AM

I am a former Alaskan. The .300 Win is perfectly OK. If you are hunting grizzly bear as a non resident you will be hunting with a guide. A competent guide wil be there to back you up and will have a rifle capable of handling a big bear. The .375 might be considered a bit of overkill for sheep but if you are with in 350 yards you are ok on balistics. Take the one you shoot the best.

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There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor polite, nor popular -- but one must ask, "Is it right?"

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470Nitro
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Reged: 17/09/03
Posts: 467
Loc: Madrid - Spain

Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: WyoJoe]
#11055 - 06/03/04 06:25 PM

Like my main target is the Ram I won't use the .375 'cos I can miss some chances of shooting

. By the other side I can't feel safe myself carring a .300 while hunt a Grizzly

. Now I now for sure I must buy a .338

BTW. Those combo hunt are difficult to plan

--------------------
-----
down by the river on a friday night
pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight
talkin' 'bout guns and dreamin 'bout women
never had a plan just a livin' for the minute

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Boghossian
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Reged: 23/01/04
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: 470Nitro]
#11068 - 07/03/04 01:05 AM

Perhaps you can borrow an extra rifle while you are there? I have done that in RSA and it always works well.

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DPhillips
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Reged: 09/10/03
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: 470Nitro]
#11111 - 07/03/04 02:48 PM

Unless you are going to be hunting for bear along the coastal areas of Alaska, I'd be confident with the 300. If you are sheep hunting mainly and are wanting to take a bear if the opportunity presents itself, instead of doing a sheep hunt, then a bear hunt, the 300 is plenty. The bears that typically inhabit sheep country just aren't as big as those along the coast.

If you are uncomfortable with "just" a 300, load it with some premium 200 grain bullets put the bullets were they do the most damage, if charged by a bear. Hunting sheep in the high country does give you the open vistas where you can see the bears from a distance and avoid them, or plan your stalk. There are some places in the valleys that the brush is very thick and the visibility is limited, you probably won't spend much time there. I've carried both the 338 and 300 during my sheep hunts here in Alaska, and either is great for the purpose. I do believe the flatter trajectory of the 300 does give it a bit of an advantage though. I've never felt "undergunned" with either.

More telling, is the fact that I just picked up a 300 H&H for my sheep hunts in bear country. I believe it to be ideal for that purpose. Sort of like the giver of advice putting is money where his mouth is. I have used it, I believe it is the best of possible worlds, and am customizing that rifle for just that purpose.

Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure it will work fine for you. Good luck on your hunt. Hunting the Glacier Ghosts here in Alaska is my passion, to me there is nothing like it.

What area will you be hunting? Not asking for an exact location, just curious about the area.

Good luck!!!

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470Nitro
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Reged: 17/09/03
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Loc: Madrid - Spain

Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: DPhillips]
#11118 - 07/03/04 06:13 PM

En respuesta a:

What area will you be hunting?

I'm talking about it with my friend Vern Humble. He owns the Rainny Pass Lodge, in the Alaskan Range, and I think he's still hunting in Unit 16. Do you think is a nice place for Rams???

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-----
down by the river on a friday night
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talkin' 'bout guns and dreamin 'bout women
never had a plan just a livin' for the minute

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DavidAk311
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Reged: 28/01/04
Posts: 47
Loc: Alaska

Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: DPhillips]
#11120 - 07/03/04 08:10 PM

I agree with DPhillips.

I would suggest using the .300wm, though I'd use 180 Noslers. They will reach out and smack any sheep you're after, and will be just fine for any grizzly you encounter while sheep hunting.

dave

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DPhillips
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: 470Nitro]
#11136 - 08/03/04 06:12 AM

Rainy Pass lodge has the reputation for producing good rams year after year. Has been that way since 40's. It's getting hunted pretty hard these last few years, and I haven't heard much about it since the late 90's. If I had my guess, though, since you are working with a guide that has been there for some number of years, I'd say your chance for success is pretty good. Just listen to your guide and outfitter. I've seen a lot of people on the internet going after sheep for the first saying they won't take less than a 40" ram. There just aren't that many of those rascals running around these days. Any mature representative ram in that area is a fine trophy indeed. You may have a good chance at a 40"er, but very few hunters each year take one.

I've yet to take one, and I've been at it (as a resident) for a long while now. Then again, though, I've never hired a guide. The Alaska range rams typically have a wide spread compared to the Chugach or Wrangell rams, though not quite as much mass. That is just a rough generalization, though. They are beautiful animals.

I'd say the Rainy Pass area is as good a place as any in the state for success on a big ram, especially if your guide does his homework before the season starts.

Oh yeah, I do believe the 300 Mag would be perfect for hunting the Rainy Pass area, as long as the rifle isn't too heavy.

Edited by DPhillips (08/03/04 06:16 AM)

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470Nitro
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: DPhillips]
#11192 - 08/03/04 09:23 PM

En respuesta a:

I've seen a lot of people on the internet going after sheep for the first saying they won't take less than a 40" ram

As you know, Aliens must hunt a "full curl" ram. About me, any legal animal will be shooted.

En respuesta a:

Rainy Pass lodge has the reputation for producing good rams year after year

I had been there twice and I could see the sheeps from the cabin. Some hunters took his Rams while I was there and there was really nice trophies

Probably I'll buy a .338 barrel for my Blaser off-road

--------------------
-----
down by the river on a friday night
pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight
talkin' 'bout guns and dreamin 'bout women
never had a plan just a livin' for the minute

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IronBuck
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Reged: 11/01/03
Posts: 237
Loc: Pittsburgh PA, USA

Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: 470Nitro]
#11195 - 08/03/04 10:23 PM

The grizzlys that you find when sheep hunting are no where near as big as coastal brown bears. Many are smaller than the black bears we have here in PA. I think the avergae sie is around 300-400 pounds. Still big enough to be bad for sure..........but I'd settle for less gun than when hunting the 1200-1500 pound costal brown bears.

I think a 300 magnum would be about perfect for this combo hunt. Be it a 300 wby, winmag, ultra mag, HH mag etc... Make mine a 180 brain Trophy Boned Bear Claw from Federals Premium line.

Now all I need is a spare $8500 -$10,000 to afford a hunt like this LOL.

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Dark_Helmet
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Reged: 09/01/04
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Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: IronBuck]
#12478 - 26/03/04 08:56 AM

I'd second the use of the 300WM, but I'd select either a 165 or 180gr Ballistic Tip (Nosler) or Hornady SST... AWESOME trajectories... then carry soem 220 partition semi-spitzers or a-frames or Xs or GSs.... and dump one in the boiler room...

--------------------
_________________________________________________________________
When someone says a rifle is "ugly," what they really mean is "push feed."

-me

(long live the Mauser 98!)

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Chasseur
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Reged: 18/11/03
Posts: 771
Loc: Hunting classic Indian game!

Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: Dark_Helmet]
#12567 - 27/03/04 08:32 AM

I would second the 300WM with good 200 gr. bullets and your rifle zeroed for the 200gr. I would not recomend carrying two different bullets weights arround since your rifle will only be zeroed for one (unless your rifle can shoot 180s and 200 with the same zero). Two years ago my brother got a nice brownie, smaller sized guy (like the ones you'll see in Sheep country) and it went down with one good shot from a 300WM with a 200gr. bullet. You'll be better off for the sheep with the 300 and as the others said you have a guide for the bear.

Have a great trip!

--------------------
In regards to action he should devote himself to hunting...
-Machiavelli

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luv2safari
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: Chasseur]
#12633 - 28/03/04 02:25 AM

The 300 WB is a great round...just not in Weatherby rifles...Not the most accurate of rifles.

The poor old and lowley Remington 700 outshoots most Weatherbys.

Over the years, when selling guns to put fish heads & rice on the table, I sold a boxcar load of Weatherbys and five boxcars of Remington 700s. All feedback indicated that the Weatherbys shot just OK, while the Remingtons were excellent right out of the box.

My own German Weatherby 300 has never been able to shoot any better than one minute of elk!

I prefer my old Remington 721 in 300 H&H...tack dirver!

--------------------
Hunt with Class and Classics

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AdamTayler
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Reged: 22/03/04
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: 470Nitro]
#12643 - 28/03/04 04:17 AM

I would take which ever one you shoot best and feel the most confident with.
I took a coastal grizzly here in BC with my 300 Wby Mag loaded with 220gr Nosler Partitions. I shot it broadside at about 85-100 yards, the bullet passed through the bear, and he was knocked over but got up and ran about 50 yards into the bush where he lay down and bled out.
My friend is going sheep hunting this summer and he is contemplating whether to take his 6.5x55 which he is the most confident with or 8mm Rem Mag which he just picked up. The other guy is taking a 300 Wby.

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It's the journey, not the destination.

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Tightloop
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Reged: 24/06/06
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Loc: Spring, Tx...

Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: AdamTayler]
#59846 - 12/07/06 05:25 AM

Take your .375H&H, and enjoy using it...the Chadwick ram was shot with a .404 Jeffery....

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allenday
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Reged: 18/04/04
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: 470Nitro]
#59858 - 12/07/06 11:39 AM

A 300 Win. Mag. loaded with premium 180 gr. bullets at 3000 fps. MV or better and zeroed for 250 yds. is ideal for a combination Alaska hunt that'll include sheep and grizzly. And that's exactly what I've previously taken myself to Alaska for sheep and grizzly, and would take a 300 Win. Mag. again in a heartbeat for the same sort of hunting.

You don't need a 375 H&H for such a hunt. In fact a 375 would hinder you a whole lot more than it would help you on Alaskan mountains. Save the Three-Six-Bits for coastal brown bears in Alaska, and for Africa..........

AD

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AzGuy
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Reged: 23/03/06
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Loc: Prescott, Arizona, USA

Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: allenday]
#61245 - 16/08/06 09:44 AM

I'd go with the one you shoot the best. Both are capable of doing the job. My Wyoming Rocky Mtn. Bighorn/Elk combo hunt was classic: I took a 270 and a 375.... used the 375 on elk, then tested both before the sheep hunt. The 375 shot better, I was more confident, and ended up taking a very nice ram at 325-350 yards with the 375. Take both, if possible, shoot them in camp and then make a decision. Always nice to have a backup rifle that you are comfortable with. Good luck.

--------------------
Hike the Grand Canyon, you will never be the same!

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DarylS
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: 470Nitro]
#61303 - 17/08/06 01:25 PM

With the possibility of bear on the menue, there is no other choice than the .375.
: Most .375's will group all bullet weights from 232gr. to 300 gr. in the same 2-1/2" round group at 100 yards. Inside that 2-1/2" group will usually be several slightly different impacts of 1"(or smaller) to 1-1/2" groups.
: There will probably not be a need to re-sight going from the Sheep load (250 SierraBT) to a good bear load like the new BONDED 300gr. Hornady. While I haven't used the bonded bullet yet, I have complete confidence in it's ability. The standard intrlocked 300 did OK, so the bonded version can only be better.
: The .300, for me, kicked to much for it's modest increase in killing power over the old '06. Yes, I'm partical to descent sized bullets, both weight-wise and diameter. So is the bear's reaction factor.
: This, of course, if merely an opinion.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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DPhillips
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: DarylS]
#61361 - 18/08/06 10:31 AM

It is sheep season here in AK, 470 Nitro may be in the mountains already. Sure would like to hear from on how the hunt went.

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600JDJ
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: DarylS]
#83075 - 26/07/07 05:48 AM

Quote:

With the possibility of bear on the menue, there is no other choice than the .375.
: Most .375's will group all bullet weights from 232gr. to 300 gr. in the same 2-1/2" round group at 100 yards. Inside that 2-1/2" group will usually be several slightly different impacts of 1"(or smaller) to 1-1/2" groups.
: There will probably not be a need to re-sight going from the Sheep load (250 SierraBT) to a good bear load like the new BONDED 300gr. Hornady. While I haven't used the bonded bullet yet, I have complete confidence in it's ability. The standard intrlocked 300 did OK, so the bonded version can only be better.
: The .300, for me, kicked to much for it's modest increase in killing power over the old '06. Yes, I'm partical to descent sized bullets, both weight-wise and diameter. So is the bear's reaction factor.
: This, of course, if merely an opinion.

I kinda agree with Daryl_S on this one. Knowing what my 9.5lb Ruger 300 kicks like vs. my 7.5 lb Sauer 202 in 375 H&H. I'd take the 375 no question. Using 225-270grns, it will shoot as flat as needed with modest recoil and hit like a train for any size game without the need for 2 different rifles. After shooting my 375H&H a lot in load testing and hunting in the last year, I'm wondering why I have a 300. Had to do over again, I'd get this Sauer 202 in a 2 bbl set of 3006 & 375H&H if I actually need a 30 caliber for hunting anyway??

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NE450No2
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Reged: 10/01/03
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: 600JDJ]
#83135 - 27/07/07 07:17 AM

On my recent Alaskan Grizzly hunt I took my 300 Win Mag, zeroed with 200gr Trophy Bonded Bearclaws.

I also had tags for wolf, wolverine and fox.

For brown bear in the alders I would prefer the 375 H&H, but for the possible longer shots hunting sheep or Grizzly I would [and did] pick the 300 Win Mag.

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allenday
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Re: .375 on a Sheep hunt?? [Re: 470Nitro]
#83449 - 03/08/07 12:50 AM

I've done a combination sheep/grizzly and carried a 300 Win. Mag. with complete confidence. If you can't kill any mountain grizzly stone-dead with a 300 Win. Mag. and strong 180 gr. bullets, you won't be able to kill him with anything else. I'd be happy to hunt sheep and grizzly, for that matter, with a light 30-06 as well.

A 375 H&H is just too big and heavy a rifle to carry on mountains hunts, and it's completely unnecessary in the first place............sort of like putting on hip boots in the face of an April shower!

AD

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